Thoughts From the Green Bay Packers Versus the Minnesota Vikings (9/29/2024)

My thoughts from the Green Bay Packers' 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field today:

That first half was brutal. There were times when it felt like I was watching someone playing Madden Football as the Minnesota Vikings and had it set on "beginner" mode. Some weeks are like that, and it ultimately was just too much for the Packers to overcome.

For a while there, I thought Green Bay brought Jordan Love back too soon. He just didn't seem to be mobile enough and wasn't stepping into the throws. However, once he worked out some of the rust and got back into a rhythm with his receivers, I think he prove me wrong. For a minute there, I thought the Packers would pull off a miracle.

I'm going to give the defense some credit as well. The Vikings got off to a fast start, but the Green Bay D locked things down by the second half and had some key plays despite the depleted secondary being outgunned by the Vikings' receivers. I think Jaire Alexander was missed.

It's starting to sound like a broken record, but the Packers didn't help themselves. The penalties were once again numerous and damaging, though Green Bay managed to overcome the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from Matt LaFleur by scoring a late first-half touchdown. The four turnovers were uncharacteristic of the team with the receivers shared fault on at least two of those Jordan Love interceptions and the Tucker Kraft fumble being avoidable simply by stepping out of bounds.

The Packers officially have a kicking issue. Brayden Narveson has missed at least one field goal per game and had two misses today, which proved to be the difference in the game. I also thought it was interesting Green Bay chose to use punter Daniel Whelan on the onside kick. The Packers are going to have some decisions to make.

I feel awful for Christian Watson. That guy just can't seem to stay on the field. I hope it wasn't as bad as it looked.

I know he has the wrong-colored laundry now, but I feel glad for Aaron Jones. I don't know the full story about why he and Green Bay couldn't make the contract situation work but think it's fair for him to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder and needing to get a "revenge" game. At the same time though, I'm glad Green Bay kept him out of the end zone.

Fortunately, it's still early in the season. It was a disappointing finish, and Green Bay is now two games behind Minnesota. However, there's still a lot of football to be played and plenty of time to catch up, especially if Love can get 100 percent healthy.